Policies and Procedures
1. Be prepared.
2. Be on time and in your seat.
3. Respect others, yourself, and the classroom.
4. Food, candy, and drinks are prohibited in the classroom without permission from the teacher.
5. Follow all DPS, JHS, and individual teachers’ rules and policies.
Because students arrive with a variety of expectations in reference to work done outside the classroom, the Academy sets a high standard for homework. We want to encourage students to manage their time well, to do their work outside of classes, and to organize their materials so that they are well prepared.
Homework collection: Academy students are responsible for turning in written homework before 7:30 AM on the due date. Homework will be collected in a designated location for each team. Students are advised to deliver their own work; grades, study hall attendance, and friendships may be on the line.
Late homework when students have not completed the work by the 7:30 AM deadline on the due date or do not have the work with them: Homework that is handed in after 7:30 AM on the due date but before 3:45 PM the next class day is eligible to earn partial credit when the student attends study hall the next afternoon (or by arrangement with the teacher). Homework that is turned in later than the deadline for earning partial credit or without study hall attendance is not eligible for any credit. Wise students will note that an assignment that is left at home can earn as much credit as one that is not completed on time; interrupting the day of parents and guardians to bring in homework is unnecessary.
NOTE: Every class day counts as a day when students need to turn in late assignments, regardless of A or B day status, even if there is no study hall on that day, and even if the student has scheduled study hall for another day.
How to do it right:
A typical example: Jody’s assignment is due on Tuesday, but Jody leaves it at home. Jody can earn partial credit by bringing in the assignment Wednesday and attending study hall Wednesday afternoon.
A slightly unusual example: Lee’s assignment is due on Monday, but Lee leaves it at home. Lee can not attend Tuesday’s study hall because of an afternoon orthodontist appointment. Lee can earn partial credit by handing in the late assignment on Tuesday and by making arrangements with the teacher to attend study hall on Wednesday. Both of these need to be done before Lee leaves school on Tuesday.
A rather unusual example: Terry’s assignment is due on Wednesday, but Terry leaves it at home. There is no school on Friday of that week, and, therefore, there is no study hall on Thursday. Terry can earn partial credit by turning in the assignment on Thursday and attending study hall on Monday.
Late homework when students are tardy to school:
Late bus: If students are late to school on the due date because of a late bus, the students will not be penalized. Students must obtain a late bus pass and follow the procedure below for handing in the work.
Late ride: If students are late to school on the due date because their rides were late, which is an unexcused tardiness according to district policy, they will need to attend study hall on the following day (or by arrangement with the teacher) in order to be eligible for partial credit, just as if they did not have the homework done on time. Students must then follow the procedure below for handing in the work.
Excused lateness: When students sign into school late for reasons that are excused by district policy (doctor’s appointment, etc.), they must sign in at the attendance office with Mrs. Inscoe. Students must then follow the procedure below for handing in the work.
Study hall :
Study hall is a way of making it easier for students to seek a teacher’s help if they want it. Students are certain of at least one afternoon per week when a teacher will be in his or her room and they can ask for assistance. Study hall also provides four afternoons a week during which students are aware that they have a quiet, structured environment in which they can do their work before it is due.
When necessary, study hall provides natural consequences for students who do not turn in assignments on time but who want to be eligible to earn partial credit for late assignments.
If a student is assigned to study hall, it is a good idea to give him or her a written reminder. After a time, some students will not need this, but having a stack of slips can be handy. See the sample study hall assignment sheet in the Appendices on page.
Teachers are under no compulsion to arrange for numerous reschedulings of study hall because of a student’s job or participation in sports, fine and performing arts, clubs, or drivers’ education classes. Nor are teachers required to offer the option of lunch detentions or other alternatives to study hall in order for students to have another chance to earn partial credit on late assignments. Students who are involved in other activities would be well advised to do their homework and turn it in on time
***For the above (late bus, late ride, and excused lateness), follow this procedure: The assignment must be turned in at the regular place by 7:30 the next morning with the late bus pass or Mrs. Inscoe’s late arrival slip attached. If there is more than one assignment, these must all be attached to the appropriate pass. Students who arrive in an unexcused fashion after 7:30 and before 8 (check on the time) will not have documentation to attach to their homework.
Late-ish bus: If the bus arrives after 7:20 in the morning and students don’t feel they have enough time to go to their lockers, turn in work, and get to their first period class on time, they should get a special pass from Ms. Wilburn. The students should turn in their assignment(s) before 7:30 AM, then use their pass to go to their first period class.